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Influence of Dietary Excess Methionine on the Relationship between Dietary Copper and the Concentration of Copper and Iron in Organs of Broiler Chicks¹

Department of Avian Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616

Four experiments were conducted to study the nature of the relationship between methionine, copper and iron. The day-old broiler chicks used were adapted to an isolated soyprotein-cornstarch diet containing 20% protein, 3,300 kcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg, normal levels of minerals and 0.59% methionine. They were then fed the basal diet, alone or supplemented with 1.5% DL-methionine, 2,000 ppm molybdenum (Mo), 4,000 ppm Mo, or 100, 250, 500 or 1,000 ppm copper for 1 or 3 weeks. In contrast to 1.5% excess methionine, excess Mo increased plasma copper concentrations significantly, had no effect on spleen or liver iron and did not induce neurological changes. Dietary copper or methionine significantly influenced body weight gain, and the concentrations of copper in plasmas or livers. Supplements of 1.5% DL-methionine, 500 ppm or 1,000 ppm copper retarded body weight. A direct relationship between dietary copper, and the concentration of copper in livers or plasmas was demonstrated in chicks fed either the basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 1.5% DL-methionine. However, chicks fed excess methionine had lower levels of copper in their plasmas and livers at every level of excess dietary copper. Liver and spleen iron concentrations were increased by 1.5% excess DL-methionine, but were not significantly altered by supplementary copper.

KEY WORDS: • methionine • molybdenum • copper • toxicity

¹ Part of a thesis submitted to the Graduate Division of the University of California, Davis, in partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Ph.D. degree in nutrition.

² Present address: Department of Food Animal Medicine, Avian Medical Field Service, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, CA 95616.

Manuscript received 1 December 1980.